Incisional hernia after corrective omentectomy for peritoneal dialysis catheter malposition.

Laparotomic correction with or without omentectomy is occasionally required for malposition of a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter. We reviewed the incidence of incisional hernia following laparotomic PD catheter correction with or with omentectomy. From January 1996 to December 1998, PD catheters were implanted by non open-dissection technique using a trocar in 148 patients. Laparotomy for PD catheter malposition was required in 20 of the 148 patients. Omentectomy was performed simultaneously in 11 patients. After laparotomy, the wound was closed with interrupted or continuous layered polyglycolidelactide polymer sutures. Dialysis was resumed after the third or fourth day. Incisional hernia developed in 30% (6/20) of all patients undergoing laparotomy, but in none of the patients not undergoing laparotomy. The incidence increased when omentectomy was performed [5/11 (45.5%) vs 1/9 (11.1%)]. Multiparity, female sex, and laparotomy at a later time also predisposed to development of incisional hernia. Among the patients with incisional hernia, 2 patients showed multiple recurrences and 1 patient showed later leakage; PD catheters were lost in these patients. Another 3 patients continued continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) without a recurrence. The results suggest that incisional hernia is prevalent following laparotomic PD catheter correction, especially when omentectomy is performed simultaneously. Situations that seem to increase the risk of incisional hernia--inevitably encountered during corrective laparotomic omentectomy--are discussed. An evaluation is necessary concerning whether omentectomy acts as an independent risk factor for incisional hernia, and whether incisional hernia occurs more frequently when omentectomy is performed after a period on CAPD as compared with when it is performed at the time of PD catheter implantation. Laparotomic omentectomy should be performed as a last resort for the correction of PD catheter malposition.